Written Answers Tuesday 13 December 2005

Scottish Executive

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many anti-social behaviour orders have been applied for by housing associations in each local authority area in each year since the orders were introduced.

Hugh Henry: The available data on antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) applications by registered social landlords (RSLs) are presented in the following table. The power to apply for ASBOs was extended to RSLs on 27 June 2003, therefore the data for 2003-04 do not represent a full year of ASBO applications.

  ASBO Applications by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) 2003-04 to 2004-05

  

 Local Authority
RSL ASBO Applications2003-041
RSL ASBO Applications2004-05


 Aberdeen City
 1
 3


 Aberdeenshire
 0
 0


 Angus
 0
 3


 Argyll and Bute
 0
 0


 Clackmannanshire
 0
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway
 7
 6


 Dundee City
 0
 3


 East Ayrshire
 0
 0


 East Dunbartonshire
 0
 0


 East Lothian
 0
 0


 East Renfrewshire
 0
 0


 Edinburgh, City of
 2
 0


 Eilean Siar
 0
 0


 Falkirk
 0
 0


 Fife
 2
 4


 Glasgow
 7
 15


 Highland
 0
 0


 Inverclyde
 1
 1


 Midlothian
 4
 3


 Moray
 0
 0


 North Ayrshire
 1
 0


 North Lanarkshire
 0
 0


 Orkney Islands
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 0
 2


 Renfrewshire
 1
 0


 Scottish Borders
 0
 0


 Shetland Islands
 0
 0


 South Ayrshire
 0
 2


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 0


 Stirling
 0
 2


 West Dunbartonshire
 0
 0


 West Lothian
 0
 0


 Total
 26
 44



  Source: Communities Scotland Annual Performance Statistical Returns 2003-04 and 2004-05.

  Note: 1. The power to apply for ASBOs was extended to RSLs on 27 June 2003, therefore the data for 2003-04 do not represent a full year of ASBO applications.

Bankruptcy

Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies have been declared bankrupt since 1999.

Hugh Henry: The following table gives details of the different types of business insolvencies in Scotland from 1999 to 2005. The total number of Scottish business insolvencies for the period is 4,247.

  

 Year
 Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidations
 Compulsory Liquidations
 Total


 1999
 208
 364
 572


 2000
 239
 344
 583


 2001
 224
 378
 602


 2002
 232
 556
 788


 2003
 195
 436
 631


 2004
 190
 431
 621


 2005 *
 112
 338
 450



  Note: *The figures for 2005 are for the first three quarters. The figure for the third quarter is provisional.

  Figures on insolvency are published on the DTI website at http://www.dtistats.net/.

Cancer

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) average and (b) longest wait for urgent breast cancer referrals was in each year since 1999, broken down by NHS hospital.

Mr Andy Kerr: Data on the waiting times of breast cancer patients between GP urgent referral and first treatment is collated to report performance against the national cancer waiting times target that by December 2005 the maximum wait from urgent referral to treatment for all cancers will be two months.

  In the period July to September 2004, new systems were piloted in breast cancer to monitor compliance against the national cancer waiting times target. Data on breast cancer for July to September 2004 are less robust than for later periods. Information for earlier periods is not available. The following tables show the number of patients, median and maximum waiting time and the 90th percentile waiting time.

  Table 1: Median, Maximum and 90th Percentile Waiting Time for Breast Cancer Patients Between GP Urgent Referral and First Treatment for the Period July to December 2004

  

 
 Number of Patients1
 Median Wait (Days)
 Maximum Wait (Days)
 90th Percentile (Days)


 Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen
 28
 71
 153
 110


 Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin
 8
 80
 121
 n/a


 Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie
 2
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a


 Raigmore Hospital, Inverness
 26
 40
 78
 61


 Belford Hospital, Fort William
 1
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a


 Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick
 2
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a


 Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
 63
 54
 184
 83


 Perth Royal Infirmary, Perth
 25
 64
 134
 91


 Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway
 1
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a


 Borders General Hospital, Melrose
 20
 29
 61
 47


 Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries
 33
 25
 49
 38


 Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline
 42
 42
 61
 57


 Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
 115
 52
 224
 69


 St John’s Hospital, Livingston
 27
 36
 78
 55


 Vale of Leven District General Hospital, Alexandria
 4
 23
 64
 n/a


 Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock
 9
 14
 35
 n/a


 Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
 15
 24
 49
 46


 Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock
 31
 41
 82
 55


 Ayr Hospital, Ayr
 10
 27
 88
 61


 Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary, Falkirk
 11
 29
 50
 48


 Stirling Royal Infirmary, Stirling
 12
 21
 64
 59


 Monklands Hospital, Airdrie
 13
 25
 70
 36


 Wishaw Hospital, Wishaw
 38
 23
 51
 44


 Hairmyres Hospital, Carluke
 22
 30
 62
 38


 Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow
 41
 33
 126
 42


 Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow
 23
 54
 300
 107


 Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow
 39
 34
 75
 48


 Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
 27
 21
 57
 34


 Western Infirmary, Glasgow
 69
 30
 111
 66


 Scotland
 759
 37
 300
 70



  Notes:

  n/a : Not applicable due to small numbers.

  1. Exclusions categories are patient died prior to receiving treatment, refused treatment, patient induced non-clinical delay and co-morbidities.

  Table 2: Median, Maximum and 90th Percentile Waiting Time for Breast Cancer Patients Between GP Urgent Referral and First Treatment for the Period January To July 2005

  

 
 Number of Patients1
 Median Wait (days)
 Maximum Wait (Days)
 90th Percentile (Days)


 Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen
 61
 64
 276
 102


 Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin
 11
 108
 197
 150


 Caithness General Hospital, Wick
 3
 42
 48
 n/a


 Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie
 2
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a


 Raigmore Hospital, Inverness
 27
 40
 66
 56


 Belford Hospital, Fort Willian
 3
 73
 90
 n/a


 Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall
 3
 3
 29
 n/a


 Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick
 2
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a


 Ninewells Hospital, Dundee
 61
 41
 104
 72


 Perth Royal Infirmary, Perth
 34
 45
 82
 71


 Western Isles Hospital, Stornoway
 1
 n/a
 n/a
 n/a


 Borders General Hospital, Melrose
 21
 26
 62
 41


 Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary, Dumfries
 36
 21
 59
 35


 Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline
 48
 55
 114
 75


 Western General Hospital, Edinburgh
 111
 48
 88
 60


 St John’s Hospital, Livingston
 31
 39
 94
 56


 Vale of Leven District General Hospital, Alexandria
 12
 21
 53
 28


 Inverclyde Royal Hospital, Greenock
 13
 14
 40
 23


 Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley
 18
 16
 35
 27


 Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock
 29
 40
 104
 69


 Ayr Hospital, Ayr
 17
 28
 54
 40


 Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary, Falkirk
 8
 29
 43
 n/a


 Stirling Royal Infirmary, Stirling
 9
 37
 71
 n/a


 Monklands Hospital, Airdrie
 15
 21
 140
 48


 Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride
 18
 27
 39
 35


 Wishaw General Hospital, Carluke
 39
 28
 85
 53


 Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow
 38
 35
 54
 46


 Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow
 21
 43
 78
 72


 Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow
 18
 40
 128
 52


 Southern General Hospital, Glasgow
 18
 20
 36
 34


 Western Infirmary, Glasgow
 55
 28
 81
 48


 Scotland
 784
 38
 276
 69



  Notes:

  n/a: Not applicable due to small numbers.

  1. Exclusions categories are patient died prior to receiving treatment, refused treatment, patient induced non-clinical delay and co-morbidities.

Careers Scotland

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have gained part-time employment through the services of Careers Scotland since 1999.

Allan Wilson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21221 on 9 December 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Children

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children have had access to quality care and early learning before entering school in the (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) East Dunbartonshire local authority area in each year since 1996.

Robert Brown: We cannot provide figures of the percentage of children in school who have had quality care and early learning before entering school, but we can provide estimates of the percentage of three, four and five-year-olds who are registered for pre-school education at a particular time of the year.

  Local authorities are required to offer every child a part-time pre-school place from the term following their third birthday. Pre-school provision is not compulsory.

  The percentage of three, four and five-year-olds registered for pre-school education in each year since 1996 where available in the (a) West Dunbartonshire and (b) East Dunbartonshire local authority areas are given in the table below.

  Registrations for Pre-School Education as a Percentage of the Estimated Number of Children in the Local Authority

  

 
 West Dunbartonshire
 East Dunbartonshire


 Ante Pre-School
 Pre-School
 Deferred Entry
 Ante Pre-School
 Pre-School
 Deferred Entry


 January 2005
 76%
 94%
 7%
 94%
 96%
 6%


 January 2004
 82%
 90%
 8%
 94%
 99%
 8%


 January 2003
 83%
 99%
 6%
 91%
 95%
 4%


 January 2002
 56%
 77%
 4%
 90%
 97%
 9%


 September 1999
 19%
 25%
 2%
 8%
 30%
 1%


 September 1997
 15%
 54%
 1%
 9%
 30%
 0%


 September 1996
 16%
 33%
 1%
 9%
 23%
 7%



  The following points should be noted:

  Ante pre-school registrations are calculated as the percentage of all children aged three in January or September of a given year. Children become eligible for pre-school education in the term following their third birthday and therefore census figures relating to the first or second term of the year will normally be less than 100% as they do not count children who start pre-school in the spring term. Children may be enrolled early at the discretion of the local authority and the ante-pre-school figures are likely to include a number of such children.

  Pre-school registrations are presented as a percentage of the estimated number of four-year-olds, and deferred entry registrations are presented as a percentage of the estimated number of five-year-olds.

  The local authority is that in which the pre-school education is provided rather than where the children are resident; children may attend pre-school centres in local authorities other than that in which they are resident.

  Children are counted once for each pre-school registration they have. It is possible there may therefore be double counting of some children.

  In September 1996 and September 1997 the census excluded centres providing pre-school education in partnership with the local authority.

Children and Young People

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that young people who do not suffer from behavioural difficulties or police, drug, or alcohol-related problems can benefit from positive youth work.

Robert Brown: The Scottish Executive is currently providing local authorities with a block grant of £8.1 billion for all their revenue services including community learning and development, a component part of which is youth work. The allocation of these funds, together with locally collected council tax income, is a matter for the local authorities taking into account local needs and priorities.

  In the current year the Scottish Executive will award grants of £1,300,000 to 32 National Youth Organisations including the Scouts and Guides, the Boy’s Brigade and Girls Brigade, Ocean Youth Trust, Scottish Centres, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the YMCA.

  Since 2004-05 the Scottish Executive has provided £5 million per annum to Community Safety Partnerships to support the provision of services, projects and activities universally available to all young people rather than focus on young people who have offended or are at risk of offending. We have recently agreed to extend this funding in 2006-07 and 2007-08.

  This money reaches small, locally run projects which aim to make a real difference to the communities in which they are based through the provision of high quality services and facilities. For example, building or improving local community facilities, buying sports or leisure equipment and running clubs or activities at times which are convenient for young people.

Crime

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what success it has had in achieving reductions in the levels of violent crime related to drug use in (a) Scotland and (b) the (i) West Dunbartonshire and (ii) East Dunbartonshire local authority area in each year since 1999 and what targets it has set for such reductions in this period.

Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to question S2W-21155 answered on 12 December 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

  Information on crimes recorded by the police in Scotland is published in the statistical bulletin Recorded Crime in Scotland, 2004-05, copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 37835).

Drug Misuse

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it has undertaken, or plans to undertake, to tackle drug misuse in the (a) East Dunbartonshire and (b) West Dunbartonshire local authority area, showing how much money has been allocated in each area.

Hugh Henry: Significant Executive mainstream funding goes to East and West Dunbartonshire local authority areas but we cannot disaggregate specific expenditure on drug related activities. There are various ring-fenced funding streams but most of these are not allocated on a local authority basis. The exception is the Community Safety Partnership Award, which has a drugs element. Details of expenditure since 2001 are shown in the following table.

  

 
 2001-02
 2002-03
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 East Dunbartonshire
 0
 94,530
 98,507
 96,373
 87,674


 West Dunbartonshire
 18,500
 118,491
 122,875
 120,508 
 108,595

Employment

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to reduce the number of men and women between 50 and 65 who are unemployed.

Allan Wilson: The UK Government has lead responsibility for welfare to work programmes. Support for people aged over 50 is available under New Deal 50 Plus, and the Pathways to Work programme for incapacity benefit claimants, which is being piloted in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, Argyll and Bute.

  The Executive works with the UK Government to help more people into work. We will launch, in early 2006, an Employability Framework for Scotland to reduce the numbers of people out of work, including those aged over 50. We fund Training for Work, an adult vocational skills programme for unemployed people which gives priority to people aged over 50. The Executive also works with Age Positive, the UK campaign to promote the business benefits of an age diverse workforce to employers. We will consult on, and complete by the end of 2006, a strategy for Scotland’s ageing population.

Employment

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with UK ministers, the Confederation of British Industry, the Scottish Trades Union Congress and other appropriate parties which represent older people concerning the recruitment to paid employment of people aged 50 and over who are without work.

Allan Wilson: The Executive has held discussions with ministers from the Department for Work and Pensions about welfare reform and the Employability Framework for Scotland. We have also discussed the framework with the CBI and the Trade Union Working Party on Lifelong Learning. The framework has been informed by a series of workstreams involving over 150 individuals from a range of organisations, including the voluntary sector, trade unions and employers. The discussions have concerned all groups disadvantaged in the labour market, and have not been confined to those aged over 50.

Employment

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions have taken place with interested parties, including educationalists, concerning the training and retraining of unemployed people aged 50 and over.

Allan Wilson: The input to the development of the Employability Framework for Scotland has included research led by Glasgow Caledonian University, as well as the views of the Scottish Funding Councils for Further and Higher Education, further education colleges and training organisations. The issues that have been discussed included, but were not confined to, the barriers to employment faced by people aged 50 and over. Further details of the framework development are available at www.scotland.gov.uk/employabilityframework .

  The Scottish Executive is also developing a strategy for Scotland’s ageing population. This wide ranging work will involve consultation with academics, representatives of older people, and others, to be completed by the end of 2006.

Forestry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when the conclusions and recommendations of the Scottish Forestry Strategy consultation, which ended in September 2005, will be published.

Rhona Brankin: An analysis of responses to the consultation document on the Review of the Scottish Forestry Strategy can be viewed on Forestry Commission Scotland’s website at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6c3dh7 . The responses are being taken into account in the preparation of a draft revised strategy which will be issued for consultation in February.

Forestry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards implementing its commitment to the restoration, protection and enhancement of native woodlands.

Rhona Brankin: Various measures have been put in place to help us achieve our native woodland commitments. Stewardship grants are now available from Forestry Commission Scotland to expand the area of native woodland, preferably through natural regeneration and the development of Forest Habitat Networks, and also to improve the ecological value of native woodland. In addition, the Locational Premium grants within the commission’s Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme are now payable for native woodland in many parts of Scotland. The commission’s Scottish Forest Alliance partnership project with BP is progressing very well, aiming to restore 10,000 hectares of native woodland sites across Scotland, whilst initiatives such as the Sunart Oakwoods are demonstrating how local communities can help towards, and benefit from, the enhancement of native woodlands in their areas.

Forestry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will ensure that its advice to planning authorities is commensurate with the appropriate level of protection and enhancement of ancient and native woodlands.

Rhona Brankin: This is a matter for SNH but I have no doubt that SNH advice to planning authorities takes due account of the full range of natural heritage interests, including protected areas, sites and species and local considerations such as biodiversity action plans.

Forestry

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that ancient woodlands are central to policies on planning, woodland and forestry.

Rhona Brankin: National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 14: Natural Heritage notes that planning authorities should seek to protect trees, groups of trees and areas of woodland where they have natural heritage value or contribute to the character or amenity of a particular locality. The policies contained in NPPGs are material considerations to be taken into account in development plan preparation and development control.

  The protection, enhancement and expansion of ancient and native woodland are key priorities under the current Scottish Forestry Strategy. Feed-back from public consultation on the review of the strategy confirms there is strong support for these priorities, and we are now considering how to develop them in the draft revised strategy which will be issued for consultation in February. To help identify target areas, a Scottish Native Woodlands Survey project is currently being piloted by Forestry Commission Scotland which aims to create a comprehensive map and database on the extent, type and condition of native woodland, including ancient native woodland. Also, the commission leads the Native Woodland Partnership for Scotland, a body comprising representatives from government, owners’ associations, professional bodies and Non-Governmental Organisations. The partnership leads the implementation of native woodland habitat action plans, whilst advising on relevant policies, best practice and research. It is currently developing proposed habitat action plan targets which will be considered as part of the strategy review process.

Gaelic

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-19904 by Mr Tom McCabe on 23 November 2005, what plans it has to extend the dual Gaelic/English language activity to points of entry such as train and bus stations.

Mr Tom McCabe: The point of entry campaign will be posted until June 2006, when there will be a review of impact and a decision taken regarding future activity and messages. At this stage, due consideration will be given to dual Gaelic/English language activity at all points of entry, including train and bus stations. This communications review will be undertaken in the first quarter of 2006.

Health

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what level of funding has been given for capital investment to (a) National Services Scotland, (b) the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, (c) the Protein Fractionation Centre and (d) Alba Bioscience in each of the last five years.

Mr Andy Kerr: National Services Scotland are given an annual capital allocation which they then apportion to it’s internal divisions.

  The funding shown for the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), the Protein Fractionation Centre (PFC) and Alba Bioscience has therefore been made available from the total capital resource allocated to NSS.

  The information requested is as follows:

  

 Year
Capital funding to NSS(£ million)
Capital funding to the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service(£ million)
Capital funding to the Protein Fractionation Centre(£ million)
Capital funding to Alba Bioscience(£ million)


 2000-011
 11.600
 8.4002
 0.080
 0.200


 2001-022
 9.800
 5.0702
 0.600
 2.4203


 2002-034
 8.300
 1.2402
 0.120
 0.140


 2003-04
 18.400
 1.4502
 0.320
 0.090


 2004-055
 25.900
 0.7402
 0.030
 0.040



  Notes:

  1. The allocations in 2000-01 included the new Transfusion Centre at Gartnavel Hospital.

  2. The allocation shown for SNBTS includes the figure for the Protein Fractionation Centre and Alba Bioscience.

  3. Allocation to Alba Bioscience in 2001-02 was mainly for relocation and re-equipping costs, with the balance to SNBTS being for Gartnavel.

  4. Allocation to NSS in 2003-04 included £1.7 million for intangible assets, £4.4 million for systems and £5.1 million for relocation fro million Trinity Park House and other properties.

  5. The allocation to NSS in 2004-05 included £7.0 million for property move, £6.8 million for systems and system upgrades, £1.9 million for NSD services capital requirements and £1.5 million for new GMS. There was also £4.7 million for Oracle and Business Objects licenses treated as intangible asset acquisitions.

Health

Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many operations have been performed in each hospital in each year since 1997.

Mr Andy Kerr: Operations are carried out within NHSScotland in a wide range of settings dependent on a number of factors including the complexity of the operation and the clinical and personal needs of the patient.

  The information requested is given in the table Principal Operations carried out in NHSScotland by hospital, 1998 - 2005. A copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 38279).

  The table shows trend data on the number of principal procedures carried out on patients admitted as in-patients or day cases to Scottish NHS hospitals.

  In addition many operations are performed in out-patient clinics. The ISD website provides details of available national figures. Currently it is difficult to describe and quantify accurately the level of operations carried out in out-patients. ISD have been working with NHS boards to capture this information. Emerging findings are published in ISD’s "data developments" web pages at: http://www.isdscotland.org/data_development.

  Also, as a result of the development of new medical technology, changes in practice due to service re-design, more effective drug treatments and enhanced use of the skills of health care staff, patient care in NHSScotland is now undertaken by a variety of healthcare professionals in a range of care settings, including primary care and community locations.

  The traditional activity figures focus on the hospital-provided services only. Those figures do not reflect the increasing amount of treatment that was formerly provided in hospitals but is now provided in local settings like GP surgeries and health centres.

  Around 5.4 million patients were seen by hospital-based allied health professionals and "other technical departments" in the year ending 31 March 2005. In the same time period, there were over 1 million attendances at nurse-led clinics.

Health

Brian Adam (Aberdeen North) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-27346 by Malcolm Chisholm on 18 July 2002, what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the report by the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee, Immunology and Allergy Services in Scotland , published in September 2000 in respect of the establishment of managed clinical networks for those with immunological and allergic conditions.

Mr Andy Kerr: Discussions have taken place with clinicians and patient representatives about the feasibility of establishing a national Managed Clinical Network for primary immunodeficiency. The decision whether to proceed rests with those providing the service and those for whom the service is provided, who need to be satisfied that there would be sufficient benefits to justify establishing such a network.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the impacts on health are of short and long-term use of methadone.

Hugh Henry: For the vast majority of drug misusers who are prescribed appropriate dosages of methadone, the benefits to health of both short and long-term use far outweigh any side effects. As part of a package of care, methadone allows individuals to stabilise their lives to reduce their use of illegal drugs, reduce their levels of injecting, reduce their criminal activity, increase their contact with health services, all leading to significant health gains for these individuals.

Health

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the contents of the report compiled by the Institute of Healthcare Management, as referred to in my supplementary to question S2O-8076 to the Minister for Health and Community Care on 17 November 2005, have now been read by the minister.

Mr Andy Kerr: The papers referred to are a matter for the Institute of Healthcare Management, the persons referred to therein and the Western Isles NHS Board.

Justice

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any assets seized from drug dealing have been redistributed to the (a) East Dunbartonshire and (b) West Dunbartonshire local authority area.

Hugh Henry: Prior to 2004-05 funding from the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 was distributed to the Glasgow NHS Board to support addiction services for the homeless and to set up the Scottish Network of Families Affected by Drugs (SNAFAD). In 2004-5 funds were used to support the national Drug Dealers Don’t Care campaign. In 2005-06 funds will be reinvested to visibly repair the harm caused to those communities hardest hit by serious crime and drug-related crime. An announcement will be made in due course.

Lifelong Learning

Trish Godman (West Renfrewshire) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage people aged 60 and over to participate in educational and vocational courses in educational establishments.

Allan Wilson: The Scottish Executive encourages everyone to continue learning throughout their lives irrespective of age or personal circumstances. As older people will form an increasingly large and important part of our workforce over the coming decades, we are currently developing a programme, in conjunction with the Sector Skills Councils, that aims to improve the skills and learning capacity of older workers.

Local Government Funding

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-34502 by Mr Andy Kerr on 23 March 2003, what the grant aided expenditure settlement allocation was for (a) East Dunbartonshire Council and (b) West Dunbartonshire Council in (i) 2004-05 and (ii) 2005-06, showing the annual percentage change since 2003-04.

Mr Tom McCabe: Details of the Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) allocations for East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire Councils are set out in the following table.

  

 Council
2003-04
GAE (£ million)
2004-05
GAE (£ million)
% Increase 
Since2003-04
2005-06
GAE (£ million)
% Increase 
Since2004-05
% Increase 
Since2003-04


 East Dunbartonshire
 152.646
 165.225
 8.24
 174.943
 5.88
 14.61


 West Dunbartonshire
 154.660
 164.698
 6.49
 174.674
 6.06
 12.94

Mortality

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the 10 most common life-threatening diseases are in Scotland.

Mr Andy Kerr: Numbers of deaths and hospital discharges between 2000 and 2004 have been used as a proxy to derive the top 10 most common life-threatening diseases in Scotland. These are:

  1. Chronic Ischaemic Heart Disease (Chronic heart disease)

  2. Acute Myocardial Infarction (Heart attack)

  3. Pneumonia, Organism Unspecified (Pneumonia)

  4. Other Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (Chronic lung disease)

  5. Heart Failure (Heart failure)

  6. Atrial fibrillation And Flutter (Irregularities of heart rhythm)

  7. Malignant Neoplasm of Bronchus And Lung (Lung cancer)

  8. Stroke, Not Specified As Haemorrhage Or Infarction (Stroke)

  9. Malignant Neoplasm Of Breast (Breast cancer)

  10. Cerebral Infarction (Stroke).

  Source: ISD Scotland SMR01, General Register Office for Scotland.

  Notes:

  1. These conditions are based on International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD10) three-digit codes. The decision as to what constitutes "life-threatening" has been based on the number of deaths compared to the number of hospital discharges. Using coding at this level results in closely related conditions being identified in the top ten – for example "Stroke, Not Specified As Haemorrhage Or Infarction" and "Cerebral Infarction". This is a consequence of adhering to ICD10 three digit codes.

  2. Common use names for these conditions have been included in brackets, although the ICD10 three-digit label provides the more precise description.

  3. Conditions eight and 10 are both described as stroke, cerebral infarction is a more detailed ICD10 diagnosis.

National Statistics

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to report on the performance and integrity of National Statistics in Scotland.

Mr Tom McCabe: I am pleased to announce the publication of the Chief Statistician’s Annual Report for the year 2004-05. This sets out progress on the development of statistics and on the performance of the Scottish Executive in relation to the principles and procedures set out in the National Statistics Framework and Code of Practice. Published copies are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 37846) and via the web at the following address: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/12/0594523/45241 .

Public Bodies

Jim Mather (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much was paid to the Confederation of British Industry by non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs), including Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Caledonian MacBrayne, Scottish Water, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Qualifications Authority and Historic Scotland, for subscriptions, advertising and fees in total and broken down by NDPB in each year since 1997.

Mr Tom McCabe: The information is not held centrally. The use by non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) of services provided by the Confederation of British Industry is an operational matter for individual NDPBs to consider.

Scottish Executive Funding

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the explanation is for its policy of providing funding for new projects but not providing on-going funding for projects that have proven to be successful but require continued financial support.

Mr Tom McCabe: Decisions on the period for which financial support is available are taken in accordance with the objectives of individual schemes and there can be no presumption of continuing funding once a scheme has run its course. Recipients of financial support should be aware of the length of time for which support is available and plan accordingly. If this question has been prompted by a particular case, I would be happy to look at the details and comment further.

Scottish Executive Funding

Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what annual grants it or the Scottish Office have made to (a) the Scout Association, (b) the Guide Association, (c) Youth Scotland, (d) the Boys’ Brigade and (d) the Girls’ Brigade in (i) 2005, (ii) 2000, (iii) 1995, (iv) 1990, (v) 1985 and (vi) 1980.

Robert Brown: The funding for years 2000 and 2005 is contained in the following table.

  

 Year
 2000
 2005


 Scouts
£31,827
£35,100


 Guide Association
£16,974
£18,700


 Youth Scotland
£79,568
£89,995


 Boys’ Brigade
£38,723
£42,740


 Girls’ Brigade
£12,200
£13,480



  The information for the years 1995, 1990, 1985 and 1980 is not held centrally.

Sexual Health

Susan Deacon (Edinburgh East and Musselburgh) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the delivery of sex education is integrated into the school nursing service.

Robert Brown: It is the responsibility of authorities and schools to ensure that programmes and materials on sex and relationships education are consistent both with national guidance and with the ethos of the school. A Scottish Framework for Nursing in Schools, published in 2003, sets out the role of school nurses in supporting schools to promote a positive approach to sexual health and relationships.

Social Inclusion

Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to the Working for Families programme in each year since it was established.

Malcolm Chisholm: The main allocations for the delivery of the Working for Families fund in local authorities are £10 million per annum for 2004-06 and £15 million per annum for 2006-08.

  In addition to the main allocations, piloting, development and evaluation activities have also been carried out as shown in the following table:

  

 
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 Pilot Projects
£565,000
£0
£0


 Rosemount Lifelong Learning Centre
£133,197
£116,559
£185,955


 Local Authority Project Development
£54,543
£36,000
£400,000


 Miscellaneous (including training events) 
£9,285
£9,780
£3,708


 Evaluation
£48,085
£38,989
£77,978

Student Loans

Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what sums it has paid to purchasing banks in each year since 1998 in respect of the student loans sold by HM Treasury in 1998 and 1999 and what obligations these sums covered.

Nicol Stephen: The following amounts have been paid to the purchasing banks in respect of the sale of student loans in 1998 and 1999:

  

 1998-99
£6,437,000


 1999-2000
£12,209,000


 2000-01
£14,840,000


 2001-02
£11,344,000


 2002-02
£10,645,000


 2003-04
£7,052,000


 2004-05
£7,225,000 (unaudited figures)



  The payments are to cover the difference between the commercial rate of interest the banks would normally charge and the rate of inflation they are required to charge in respect of the student debt they have acquired. The payments also include a small element for those loans which have been sold to the banks but become irrecoverable.

Youth Crime

Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate has issued sentencing guidance, similar to the draft guidelines in England and Wales, suggesting that juveniles who use minimal force to commit theft should not be imprisoned.

Elish Angiolini QC: Sentencing is a matter for the court and, subject to the powers of the particular court and any statutory limitations in respect of particular charges, is solely within the discretion of the presiding judge. It is not a matter for the Lord Advocate, the head of the prosecution service, to issue sentencing guidance.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Parliamentary Accommodation

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the most up-to-date figures are for the annual maintenance costs of the Holyrood building and what the predicted costs are for each of the next five years.

John Scott: Maintenance budgets for the current financial year 2005-06 are £634,000, increasing to £1,223,000, for 2006-07. These costs cover all planned and reactive maintenance for building services, building fabric and landscaping. The increase in budget for 2006-07 is due to an allowance for additional maintenance works including re-lamping of the building and additional fabric maintenance.

  We are working towards establishing a long-term maintenance plan and budget forecast. A 25 year maintenance plan for the building is in preparation, comprising work plans for each maintenance task associated with each maintainable asset. This will enable us to forecast maintenance budgets over a 25 year period. Peaks and troughs in the maintenance plan will then be smoothed to enable efficient use of financial resources.